Coronavirus-Sniffing Dogs Help Keep Metallica And Others on Tour

Ever since we've tried getting back to normal venues and bands have tried different avenues to keep everyone safe.  I recently went to a 'vaccinated-only" concert.  It was the only time I've ever been asked for my vax card and thank god my wife knew were it was.  Otherwise we'd be stuck holding tickets on a rainy night outside of The Rust Belt.

Mask mandated concerts would be hard to enforce.  I've seen how hard it is to enforce the "no smoking" policy.  And if you ever went to a Pantera show back in the day, you know they just give up.

But imagine you buy tickets online.  You and the wife get all gussied up and hire a babysitter.  You go grab some supper before the show.  Then you pay $10 to park and as you walk up to the venue you're stopped by a German Shepherd looking to nark on you for the drugs you have in your pocket.

Rolling Stone posted recently about he latest concert must-have: Covid-sniffing canines.

Bands like METALLICA, TOOL, and THE BLACK KEYS have used dogs to find traces of the virus in members of their crew, entourage, and anyone else who goes backstage.

Metallica's management company said, quote, "So far, knock on wood, the dogs have been knocking it out of the park . . . We haven't had a dog miss anybody."

 

There are currently 12 dogs trained and working through Bio-Detection K9, with more being trained. They sniff people's hands and feet, and now with the new variant, they'll be sniffing masks.

 

The company says not only are they faster and cheaper than a regular test, but they're friendlier. A dog test costs around $2 a person.